A group of 16 Chinese students on a three-day visit to Queen Elizabeth's School in Wimborne had the unforgettable experience of making a cream tea the British way on 23 January 2018.

Aged between 12 and 14 the Chinese students had been on a tour to London, Cambridge and Brighton before arriving at their host school in Dorset where they made and baked some delicious scones and added cream and jam.

Katie Boyes, one of QE’s deputy heads at the Wimborne school said, “It’s going fantastically and is a really positive experience. The visiting students have really embraced QE life. They are shadowing students in all lessons and have had taken part in two bespoke lessons: PE and cooking.”

Students made their scones, under the direction of maths teacher Charlie Larrington-Vandy, and they couldn’t wait to taste the results.

Each student had an English name as well as a Chinese one. Jack, (Han Jun) aged 13, said, “I don’t cook at home. I have really enjoyed the lesson.’

Susan (Li Yuncan) and Lisa (Li Mingfei) who are both aged 12 and worked side-by-side said they were used to cooking dumplings and noodles as well as chips and hamburgers at home, but not scones.”

Susan (Wang Xiying) proudly brought her well-risen scones out of the oven and couldn’t wait to taste them.

The head of faculty (design and technology), Richard Wood, said the students were doing something stereotypically English.

Jiang Shupeng (Kevin) from the IECA in China who was supervising the group said that they would be taking the British culture back to China. “The students will have a worldwide view,” he said. After visiting Wimborne, the group were heading to Paris and Belgium before going home.

The cultural programme is organised by IECA in China in partnership with OneWorld Education UK and the Global Youth Ambassador Project. Mike Bennett of OneWorld said, “We work with the local education bureau in China and take students all over the world to Australia, New Zealand, the UK, USA and Canada.

“At the moment we have over 100 Chinese students placed in Dorset schools including QE, Allenbourn, Bishop Aldhelm’s and the Oak Academy. The schools have been chosen because they are wonderful, and the student ambassadors do a tremendous job,” he said.

In total 46 students were being hosted by QE, which is working towards increasing its international links to try and create a truly global school.

Last year, Charlie Larrington-Vandy attended an international conference in China. The school also received and hosted a group of 12 Chinese education ministers and headmasters and the next stage in the programme is the current visit by 46 Chinese students.